Vehicle mounting



June 12,1928. 1,673,467

J. M. MAURER VEHI CLE MOUNT ING Filed sept. 7, 1926 5 sheets-sheet 2 3 INVENTOR.

972. aLl/Lw,

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June l2, 1928. 1,673,467

. J. M. MAURER VEHI CLE MOUNTING Filed Sept '7&1926

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TTORNEYS.

Patented June 12,1928.

.TOEN I. HAUREB, O F GARLAND, CALIFORNIA.

VEHICLE NOUN TIN G.

Application flied September 7, 1928. Serial Rl'o. 133,760.

This invention relates to vehicle mountings, and more especially to an 1mproved flexible vehicle mounting for heavy freight carrying automobiles. 1n orderto yincrease s the load capacity, such vehicles have been made with a two-axle rear truck 1n place of the ordinary sin le rear axle. These two axles have hereto ore been connected together and to the vehicle frame in rather a l rigid manner, this being considered necessary in order to sustain the great loads carried. Such a connection prevents relative flexibility between the two axles and frame and thereby results in great wear on the tires, great jolting of the load and the necessity of lifting the load a considerable amount whenever the wheels pass over lobstacles. It is the (primary object of my 1nvention to provi e an improved flexible zo mounting which will eliminate these ob]ections.

In my improved mounting, I connect the two rear truck axles with compound leaf springs above and cri-operating with `which 2s are ot er leaf springs supporting the vehicle frame, and I connect these upper and lower springs with flexible steel plates which sus tain the load and permit a slight relative twistin movement of the springs about a verticall axis extending through the s ring connections. I furthermore mount the ower springsfor pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the springs. i

The flexible connection between the lower and u per springs permits relative movement etween such springs when turning the vehicle, thereby permitting thewheels to gradually roll to their new position ino stead of sliding the wheels in a manner severely wearing the tires as is done with a rigid connection. The pivoting of the lower springs about a horizontal axis permits a vertical freedom in the frame and rear axles whereby the wheels can pass over obstacles and drop into depressions without appreciably affecting the frame and without having to 'lift the loa-d. It is an object of my invention to provide a vehicle truck mounting embodying these improvements.

It is another object of my invention to so connect the driving axle with the frame that the axle will be held in its proper driving relation but permitted a twistin movebe ment in a vertical direction. This o ject is accomplished by the use of a pair of flexible spring metal torque arms, hereinafter described which permit relative movement of the wheels vertically.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of the front non-driving axle having its central portion arched above and below in a manner forming an opening through which the drive to the rear axle may extend. I have found that driving from the rear axle is advantageous in many respects ,to driving` from the front axle, vor both axles, and my improved construction of front axle permits such drive.

In the accompanving drawin s, I have illustrated certain specific em `ments of my invention, but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended hereto being relied upon for that purpose.

Referring to the figures of the drawing:

Fi l is a side elevation of a heavy-duty vehic e embodying myl invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged inner side elevation of the rear truck thereof.-

Fig. 3' is a side 'elevation taken on line III-III of Fig. 5.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the truck. v

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the leaf springs.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view therethrough. f

In the drawings, 1 `indicates the frame of a heavy freight carrying automobile suported on front wheels 2 and a truck carried 95 y rear wheels 3 and 4. The novel features of my invention herein are embodied in this rear truck. y

The rear truck comprises a front nondrivin axle 5 and a rear driving axle 6. A. 100 pair o compound leaf springs 7 respectively connect the adjacent ends o f the axles at opposite sides of the vehicle, the connection to the axles 5 and 6 being respectivel by yokes 8 and 9, and the front ends ofy the springs being slotted at 10 to permit a slight longitudinal movement of the springs in the yokes 8.

Each spring 7 is held together by U-shaped clamping bolts`11 supporting a bearing; plate 110 12 through which extends a shaft 13. A second pair of compound leaf springs 14 are respectively mounted directly above the spring 7 and the ends thereof are connected to the frame 1 by ivoted links15 and 16. Each spring 14 auf bined therewith are held together by U- shaped clamping bolts 18 supporting plates 19 and 20 on the bottom thereof.

In their assembled position, the springs 7 and 14 are relatively spaced vertically and are held in such relation, in a manner flexibly supporting the load, by steel-plates 21 located at opposite sides of the springs and connecting the shaft 13 to the plates 19 and 20.- Each plate has a pair of vertically extending strengthening ilanges 22. As best illustrated in Fig. 7, the plates 19 and 20 are rovided with flanges at their ends whic 1 are secured to the plates 21 by bolts 23, 24 and 25. The bolt 25 is a through bolt and carries a` spacing sleeve 26. Thissleeve holds the plates 21 1n spaced relation. The engagement of the plates 21 with the ends of the shaft 13 is reinforced by hub plates 27 engaging over such shaft ends and secured to the plates 21 and flanges 22 by bolts 28, pins 29 also being used to hold the hub plates to the shaft.

The rear axle 6 is held in its proper driving position by torque arms 30 consisting of flat metal steel strips secured to the axle at one end by yokes 31. The front ends of the strips are secured to angle plates 32 pivotally mounted on a rod 33 carried by the frame. The intermediate portion 34 of this rod is bowed upwardly for the purpose of clearin the axle 5 when the vehicle is loaded. T e pivotal mounting of the strips permits free vertical movement of the rear axle and the flexibility of the strips permit the rear axle to have a limited lateral and vertical twisting movement.

In the vehicle illustrated the drive is to the rear axle, the front axle being merely for load support. In order to provide this latter axle of sufficient strength and yet permit a passing thereby of the drive shaft 35, I form the axle 5 in the manner illustrated. The intermediate portion thereof is arched over at 36 and under at 37 in a manner providing an opening 38 large enough to receive and permit a limited vertical movement to the drive shaft. This construction provides a very strong axle and one permitting drive to the rear axle shaft 39.

The springs 14 also have combined therewith the springs 17, the ends of which extend beneath lugs 40 on the frame. When the vehicle is empty, the lugs will ordinarily be raised olf the springs 17. When the vehicle is loaded the depressed frame settles the lugs onto these springs which thereupon aid in supporting the load.

It is believed that the advantages of my a third'spring 17 com-` invention will be obvious from the above description taken in connection with th drawings. Briefly stated, the purpose of my invention is to substitute flexibility for ri idity in the truck portion of a vehicle an especially in a vehicle designed for heavy duty. This flexibility of construction, in accordance with my invention, results in a vehicle mounting adapting the vehicle to run at a greatly 1ncreased speed and with a heavier load with far less wear to the mounting, its tires and the road, and with the jar and vibration present in the known trucks quite eliminated. i

In the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the load is supported on the rear truck entirely through the resilient plates 21 and on the horizontal pivot 13. "When the vehicle makes a turn the wheels 3 and 4 are not immediately slid over to the new position, but, as the frame turns, the plates 21 twist in that direction and resiliently force the wheels 3 and 4 to the new position. In this manner the wheels are permitted to gradually roll to their new position rather than belng slid thereto.

It is well known that in heavy vehicles of the two-rear-axle type, the rear truck tires wear out very guickly. I have built and had in operation or a considerable time a truck constructed in accordance with the disclosure herein. This truck has been in continuous use for many months past, and has carried an average load of 14 tons at a speed averagin better than 25 miles per lun hour. A set o General tires placed on the rear truck of this vehicle have run, under these conditions, for a distance exceed' ing 10,000 miles without a single blow-out and without showing any appreciable wear.

As stated above, the plates 21 permit a flexibility of the rear truck in a horizontal direction. The pivot 13 permits a flexibility of the truck axles 5 and 6 in a vertical direction. Should a wheel 3 or 4 drop into 11n a depression or pass over an obstacle` the pivot at 13 permits such movement without appreciably affecting the load. I have, in actual practise, driven over deep depressions and high obstacles with a load without seriously jarring the load and without re uiring an apprecible lifting of the load. T is result obviously is of great advantage, particularly in carrying fragile loads or perishable loads such as fruit which will readily decay upon being severely bruised. Furthermore, this resilient mounting permitting a vertical movement of the wheels is a great saver of power. since obstacles, etc. may be passed over without having to lift the load.

Also the torque arms 30, being of flat metal permit a free relative twisting movement of the wheels 4 vertically. When passing over very uneven ground or when the wheels at one side are raised to arf elevation 1u far above the other side, these torque arms permit a free twisting which fully accom modates this condition.

I have furthermore found from actual practise that a load can be driven over heavy grades with far greater ease and efficiency when the drive is to the rear wheels 4 1nstead of to the front wheels 3. It has heretofore been dillicult to drive to the rear axle because of the interference of the drive shaft withthe front truck axle. The construction of my improved axle 5 permits free drive to the rear axle while keeping the front axle if ghe necessary strength for supporting the When carrying a relativel small load, the same will be mostly carrie on the s rings 14, and when the truck is loaded heavily, or to capacity, the framesettled down onto the springs 17 which at this time aid in supporting the load.

It will be apparent from the disclosure herein that the great advantages and object-s accomplished by my invention are due to the entirel flexible mounting of the rear truck. As il ustrated, the parts are all se# supporting the load cured inamanner fully; 1 d 1 in oa a ignment and holding the truc while at the same time permitting a freeflexibility thereof in every direction. As

`will be noted, the rear truck is supported on eight tires of large capacity, and these tires will support a tremendous load without placing an undue load on each tire or an undue strain on the road bed. The arrangement permits the carrying of extra heavy loads at high speeds with less wear on both the truck and load, and with a minimum amount of jar or vibration to the load.

Having thus described my invention,what

I claim and desre'to secure by Letters Pat- 1. A vehicle mounting comprising in combination with a vehicle frame, a pair oi supporting axles spaced apart, lower leaf springs located one at each side of the :frame and connected at their ends to the adjacent axles, a pair of upper springs at each side of the frame above the lower springs, links connecting the ends of each of the lowermost springs of the upper pairs to the frame, lugs secured on the frame above the ends of the uppermost springs of the upper pairs and adapted to bear thereon when a load is iinposed upon the frame, connecting means rigidly connecting the springs of each upper pair, bearing means rigidly suspended from said. connecting means of each upper pair of springs and disposed at a point centrally below the adjacent lower spring, and a pivotal connection between each lower spring and the adjacent bearing means whereby said springs may pivot about a horizontal axis.

2. A vehicle mounting comprising in combination with a vehicle frame, a pair of supporting axles spaced apart, lower leaf springs located one at each side of the frame and connected at their ends to the adjacent axles, a pair of upper springs at each side of the frame above the lower s rings, links connecting the ends of each o the lowermost springs of the upper pairs to the frame, lugs secured on the frame above the ends of the uppermost springs of the upper pairs and adapted to bear thereon when a load is imposed upon the frame, connecting means rigidl connecting the springs of each upper pair, caring means rigidly suspended from said connecting means of each upper `pair of springs and disposed at a point centrally below the adjacent lower spring, a pivotal connection between each lower spring and the adjacent bearin means whereby said springs may pivot a out a horizontal axis, torque arms connected at one end to the rearmost axle and extending forwardly, said torque arms being located adjacent the sides of the frame, andpivotal connections between the forward ends of the torque arms 

